Fence-wire tightener.



No. 680,438. Patented'Aug. I3., lool.

E. A. PIERCE.

FENCE WIRE TIGHTENEB.

(Applicgtin filed Dec. 13, 1900.)

(No Model.)

l l I 1- UITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. IPIERCE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FENCE-WIRE TIGHTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,438, dated August13, 1901. Application flied Dewinter 13, 1900. serial No. 39,722. (Nomodelo' T0, a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. PIERCE, of Boston, in the county ofSuffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Fence-Wire Tighteners, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a new and improved means for taking up theslack of and keeping taut the strands of ribbon fence-Wire; and itconsists in the novel features of construction and arrangement of partshereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis application, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, thesame reference characters designating the same or similar parts orfeatures Wherever they occur.

Of the drawings, Figure 1 shows in perspective a portion of a Wire fencein which the strands have been tightened by means of my invention: Fig.2 is a detail view of a corner-post of the fence-in this case one of theposts in connection with which my improved tightener is employed,although it can be employed in connection with any desired post in thefence. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the movable tighteningmember. Fig. 4 is a like view of a stationary detentholding member. Fig.5 is a det-ail perspective view of my improved band-splice. Fig. 6 is aview similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified form of twisting member.

Fence-wire, especially when of the band form, has a'tendency to sag.Various expedients have been tried to overcome this defeet, but Withonly partial success hitherto, so far as I am aware. I have found thatby twisting the band form of wire the same is thereby shortened and alsostiifened. By my invention I employ a device composed of a twisting anda holding member. The twisting member serves as a means for shorteningand stiffening the band by twisting it, While the holding member servesto maintain the twisting member in any desired position of adjustment.

1 represents a post of a band-wire fence, to which my tightening devicesare attached. This post is shown as at the corner of the fence; but, asstated, it is immaterial, since the tightening-post might be in any partof the fence. In practice there will be a .tightening device for eachWire.

2 2 2 represent band-wires, 3 the top rail, and 4 4 line-posts.

10 represents a holding member. As shown, this is composed of a disk 11,formed with a central aperture or bearing. Upon one side this disk isprovided with pins 12 12 and upon the opposite side with cam-teeth 1313. A hole 14 is made inthe post 1 for each band 2. The member 10 issecured by the pins 12 12 to the post over the hole 14, with itscam-teeth 13 opposed to the vdirection in which the band will exert itspull.

20 represents a twisting member composed of a perforated hub 21, formedto rotate in the aperture or bearing of the holding member and having asquared end 22 for engagement With a Wrench, and a flange 26, in whichare formed notches 23 23 for engagement with the cam-teeth 13 13. A web24 is formed near the end of the hub 21, opposite the squared end 22.The end of a band 2 is passed through the hole 1 4 and Wrapped about theweb 24 of the twisting member 20, there being such a member for eachband. The hub 21 is inserted through the disk 11 into the hole 14, therebeing a holding member for each twisting member. If the bands sag, theyare twisted by turning the twisting member 2O with a wrench. As the bandtwists it Will also shorten and stiffen. The teeth 13 of the holdingmember engaging the recesses 23 of the twisting member maintain theseparts in any desired adjustment. The pull of the band holds the teethand recesses in engagement unless separated by the wrench in turning thetwisting member.

Instead of the squared end 22 I may form the hub with a squared aperture27 (see Fig. 6) for engagement with a complemental tool. Further, inplace of the notches 23 I may form peripheral notches 28, through Whicha nail or other device may be passed for engagement with the teeth 13.

In Fig. 5 I have shown my improved form of splice. In making this splicethe ends of the bands to be spliced are placed together in oppositedirections. A wrapper 30 of metal is then placed about the wrapped ends,the latter protruding at one side beyond the Wrapper. After the Wrapperis in position IOO the free ends 31 of the bands are then bent back overthe wrapper, as shown. Y

Having thus explained the nature of my invention and described a Way ofconstructing and using the same, although without having attempted toset forth all the forms in which it may be embodied or all the modes ofits use, I declare that what I claim is 1. A tightening device for wirefences, comprising, first, a holding member formed to bear against afencepost and having an aperture or bearing to coincide with a hole inthe post, and means for engagement with a fencepost to prevent rotationof said member, and secondly, a twisting member composed of a hub whichis rotatable in said bearing, said hub having means for engagement witha band wire, and a ange adapted to bear against the outer side of theholding member, the said flange and holding member having complementalengaging parts which are held in engagement with each other by thetension of the wire, and retain the twisting member in any desiredposition of adjustment.

2. A device for tightening band-wire, comprising a holding member havinga central aperture, post-engaging studs on its inner side, and cam-teethon its outer side, and a twisting member composed of a hub portionrotatable in the aperture of the holding member and having a cross-barto engage a bandwire, and a fiange having notches formed to engage saidcam-teeth.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

EDWARD A. PIERCE.

Wituesses P. W. PEZZETTI, A. D. HARRISON.

